Naples

Located along the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida, Naples has long known to be one of the nation’s best destinations to visit and an even better place to call home.

 

Those fortunate enough to live in Naples understand why many view it as a paradise due to the pristine beaches with crystal water and white sand that always seems to look untouched.

 

However, it isn’t just the water that continues to keep Naples as one of the most in – demand towns in the country. The fine dining, award winning golf courses and exclusive shopping entertain residents and guests all year long. 

 

Simply put, Naples has it all and then some.

 

There options for outdoor fun and activities in Naples are limitless and residents can enjoy their day at the park, at one of the town’s famous beaches, on the water or even on a swamp. The parks in Naples are meticulously maintained and offer amenities such as athletic fields, shuffleboard courts, picnic areas, fishing areas, camping and playgrounds. Also available are hiking paths, biking/running trails and dog parks, many being on the Gulf of Mexico.

There are over 60 golf courses in Naples. With a little over 10 public courses, the majority are private, member only. Regardless of where residents choose to golf, the amenities and scenery of every course are second to none, making it easy to understand why many golfers consider Naples the golf capital of the world. Along with many others, courses such as Treviso Bay, Tiburon Black and Gold and Naples Grande are all of PGA – tour quality and boast many other amenities such as spas, fine dining and private swimming pool and tennis courts.

Naples is known for its crystal water, white beaches and picturesque sunsets. All three of these staples can be enjoyed while visiting the iconic Naples Pier. One thing that sets the beaches in Naples apart from the rest of the state is that they are not only breathtaking but they are all natural. For years, Delnor Wiggins State Park has been voted one of the best beaches in Naples and it’s no wonder why. Not only are there several beaches to choose from but there are walking paths that take visitors right out to the dunes and a watchtower that offers a beautiful view over the water and the park. Known to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, barefoot beach preserve not only is a beach ideal for families, due to its crystal clear water, white sand and shallow depth, but it has a mile long trail allowing visitors to observe nesting turtles in the summer.

When needing a day away from the beach, Naples is also home to places like Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a 13,000 acre sanctuary that houses and protects native species such as the endangered Wood Stork, Florida Panther, American Alligator, Gopher Tortoise and over 10 more state and federally listed species. Guests can observe all of the species while strolling the 2.25 – mile boardwalk.

The school districts that serves Naples, and the surrounding area, is the Collier County School District. The district is comprised of 46,416 students throughout 40 elementary, 19 middle and 18 high schools. The district is highly rated on the state level and is considered to be in the top three for safest, top five overall district and the top ten for best districts for athletes. It is also known for being one of the best districts for teachers, as well as having a diverse student body. Naples also has many wonderful private schools for children K – 12. There are a total of three elementary, four middle and four high schools. Florida Southwestern State College, Ave Maria University and Hodges University are all located within 35 miles of Naples, and Florida Gulfcoast University also offers continued education courses on their campus located in town.

There are four main hospitals that service residents around Naples: NCH Baker Hospital Downtown, NCH North Naples, Physicians Regional Medical Center – Collier Boulevard and Physicians Regional Medical Center – Pine Ridge. All hospitals offer 24 – hour emergency rooms and general medical services, while collectively offering oncology care, in-patient and out-patient surgical care, oncology, pediatrics, obstetrics, etc. Travelers can fly out of Naples Airport if flying mainly in state, or out of Southwest Florida International Airport, in Fort Meyers, for all international flights. If traveling doesn’t require a flight, there is also the option to take an Amtrak out of Fort Meyers. When trying to get around in town, Collier Area Transit buses residents around the county.

There is no shortage of fine dining around Naples and residents can find top-of-the-line restaurants with breathtaking views everywhere they look. Options such as Mediterrano offer diners a superb Mediterranean experience in Old Naples with the best service, wine list and menu in town. La Trattoria, an authentic pizzeria and Maria D’anna Cafe, a gourmet Polish café, have both won awards for their service and respective menus. Fuse, specializing in global cuisine, is known to wow its customers with their intricate small plates and mouth-watering seafood. If you’re hoping to enjoy a nice meal while taking in a breathtaking view, look no further than Waterfront Grille, a fine dining experience with a wine list that exceeds 250 bottles and The Dock at Crayton Cove, a nautical atmosphere with fresh seafood caught daily.

Naples is known for having both high – end shopping and stores with the town’s signature local charm. The Village Shops on Venetian Bay is a waterfront entertainment district that not only has shopping but also dining and spa treatments. Shopping options include Tommy Bahama, Sperry, Sukie’s Wine Shop and 30 other high – end boutiques. Waterside Shops is another outdoor mall, on the water, that includes shopping experiences at stores such as Nordstrom, Tiffany&Co, Apple and Lilly Pulitzer. For those looking for a more intimate and unique shopping trip, head down to Old Naples and spend the day at Fifth Avenue South. Here, you’ll find boutiques that are only located in the area that offer everything from home goods to apparel and beauty treatments. Stores such as Best of Everything, The Blue Mussel, and Peach Tree Designs are a must. Third Street South has also been a staple of Naples for decades. The shops and boutiques can’t be overlooked and shoppers can find unique shops that provide fashion, beach home décor, high – end art galleries and much more.

One of the many reasons why real estate is in high demand in Naples is due to its many accolades and awards. Forbes has voted it #1 on their list of Best Cities for Future Job Growth in 2014 and Smithsonian Magazine has ranked it in the top 10 best small towns in America. It has also been voted on by many as one of the happiest places to live in the country.

The population of Naples is currently 21,279 which has increased by 4.3% since 2010. More than 54% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The real estate in Naples largely consists of beach side condos, inland single-family homes and large beachside single-family homes. Many homes in town are second homes to families that live in states bordering Florida. The other homes belong to families and retirees that get to take advantage of 264 sunny days per year and an average low January temperature of 53 degrees.